Meet Rajan | SMBC Group | Global Graduate Programme

My placement year at SMBC gave me a great insight into the bank’s culture, development opportunities, and global reach. The experience confirmed that it was somewhere I could build a long-term career, so returning on the graduate scheme after university was an easy decision. The bank’s strong reputation and commitment to developing junior talent continue to make it an exciting place to work.

I work as a Portfolio Manager in the Leveraged Finance team within SMBC’s Specialised Products Division (SPD), where I am responsible for monitoring and managing a portfolio of large cap clients. My role includes analysing financial performance, preparing credit reviews and pitches, monitoring risk events, and assessing key credit metrics such as leverage, liquidity, and cash flow. The role provides exposure to a wide range of industries, borrowers, and private equity sponsors, giving me valuable insight into both portfolio management and transaction execution.

No two days are the same. A typical day could involve reviewing financial results, analysing credit risks, preparing internal credit papers, or discussing portfolio developments with colleagues. I also keep up to date with market and industry trends, as understanding the wider environment is an important part of assessing credit risk.

The people are one of the best parts of working at SMBC. Everyone is approachable, knowledgeable, and willing to help you learn. I also enjoy the level of responsibility given to graduates and the opportunity to work on meaningful projects while continuing to develop both technical and professional skills.

Take the time to learn about the bank, its values, and the different areas of the business. During the application process definitely be yourself and show genuine curiosity. SMBC offers exposure to a wide range of opportunities, people, and a strong culture of development - so making the most of those opportunities can be a great way to build both your skills and your career.